2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Installed Heated/Power Towing Mirrors

[Wiredawg]

Fellow Rammers:



I installed 03 heated/power towing mirrors on my 02. What a PITA, but boy is it worth it. Took about 6 hours to complete. Hardest part is taking the 4 mirrors apart (getting the stupid retaining nuts off) and you guessed it: compressing the spring to put the retaining nuts back on.



I did it so it looks completely factory. I bought the climate control panel w/ the heated mirror switch ($137), the mirror control switch ($43), the mirror control knob ($6. 65), and the mirror control retaining nut ($2. 27).



The project took me about 6 hours. The hardest part was removing the retaining nuts from the 4 mirrors and you guessed it, the other hardest part was compressing the springs to install the retaining nuts. I forgot I have aircraft safety wire (very strong and very thin) so I went though close hanger wire (way to big). You need the thin wire so you can compress the springs to hold them while you reinstall the retaing nuts. Use a large socket (22 MM, I think) to hammer the retaining nuts back in.



Note: Be careful you don't over compress the springs: I think I did on my drivers side and it doesn't lock quite as strong as my passenger side. It doesn't vibrate at speed, so I may be OK. time will tell.



BTW: I got the power towing mirrors off my wife's 03 truck. She didn't like them and so I put her sport mirrors back on and took her towing mirrors



Bottom line: This is a good upgrade, but I'm not sure I would have done it if I didn't have the 03 mirrors already.



Wiredawg

 

[txwingrider]

Way to GOooooo!

I just got my heated/ electric mittors installed this past weekend also and love 'em Releasing the 1st spring on the 1st mirror is quite the experience... . Boing... ding... . bounce..... ding ~~~ Kind of like incoming mortor round

Hope you enjoy them! Cliff

 

[tcourse]

Have the same setup

Sure do like them



TC

 

[EOwen]

where to buy

Can you buy these trailer tow mirrors for the 2nd gen trucks?

I have seen late 02's with them. Are they the same as the 3rd gen mirrors? Do you have to buy them from the dealer? How much should one expect to pay to upgrade to these?

Thanks

Eric

 

[Wiredawg]

Not that I know of

EOWEN:



I haven't seen factory power/heated tow mirrors for the 2nd gens. There are aftermarket ones, but IMHO they don't look as good as factory.



RockymntDDD: Yeh, that first one is a real zinger. Wear Goggles!



Wiredawg

 

[klenger]

For anyone who may be interested in this mod, here are Rob Thomas's instructions:



http://www.klenger.net/dodge/2nd-gen-reference/heated-towing-mirrors.html



I've got my 3rd gen heated/power mirrors on order. See sig.

 

[Hammer]

What Gives Little Buddy???... .



You get a new digital camera and take pics of your truck recently and post them and now with this upgrade to yours NO PICS for us,sheeesh:{ :{ :{ ... . LOL ... ... ... Andy

 

[Wiredawg]

Would have been ugly!

Andy:



Viv is the photographer, besides the pictures would have been ugly. Power/heat is the way to go! Besides, there's a kind soul cleansing that occurs when you take on one of these PITA projects that takes hours, and ususally requires a little engineering (OK, rigging). Oh yeah, be carefuful about whacking those fingers when Hammering on those retaining nuts. You shouldn't have to worry in that department since you are the "Hammer. "



Now, all I have to do (if I decide to do it) is install the in-cab controllers for the RS9000Xs. Truck is looking lots like the cockpit of a plane. James Bond ain't got **** on this truck.



C Ya,



Ron